Transitions in Healthcare: The new model is looking at different systems: lifestyle interventions versus “name the disease and name the drug.” This is critical since we are a product of our genes and our lifestyle.

How we live our lives greatly affects our health. Now we know why: Every cell our body is the factory that does the work of keeping us healthy and well. What we put into our bodies turns our genes on and turns them off. That’s why the wellness model is so important. We can impact what our cells are doing, and thereby impact our genes and longevity. What follows are some of the key things we need to know so we can take responsibility for our health and wellbeing.

Things That Most Negatively Affect Our Transitions In Life:

Medication

Stresses of being a caretaker

Not attending to our nutritional needs

Becoming sedentary

Becoming too busy to take care of oneself

Not getting enough sleep

Preventing Heart Disease:
Coronary artery disease can be caused both by things we have control over and things we don’t. Chronic infection like gum disease, a diet high in trans-fats, high blood sugar, and autoimmune diseases can cause micro-tears in our arteries. Inflammation does great damage.

Kate highly recommends this test: High sensitivity CRP (C Reactive Protein). It shows how much inflammation we have in our veins.

We also need to know our LDL levels. (The other numbers on our cholesterol test don’t matter as much.) LDLs cause plaque. Both large LDLs and small need to be measured as they each can damage our arteries and lead to heart attacks.

HDLs are our “back hoe.” They pick up the LDLs and take them back to the liver to be filtered. HDLs are supported by estrogen which we have less of after menopause.

Other risk factors for heart disease are:

Blood pressure

Thrombotic tendency

Cardiac rhythm

Endothelial function

Systemic inflammation

Insulin sensitivity

Oxidative stress

Kate says sugar is the # 1 cause of health problems. It’s a toxin to the body. Best to eliminate it for general health including heart.

Other ways to prevent heart disease:

Stop smoking

Know about environmental toxins

Be aware of allergens

Eat a healthy diet

Exercise

Control stress

Preventing Osteoporosis:
We start losing bone after age 25. After menopause we have an increased loss every year. Bone density tests are critical.

It’s very important to watch diet – acid versus alkaline. Too much acid depletes bone. And too much protein isn’t good either. Kate says, “Vegetables should be the center of your plate.” They neutralize acidity. Vitamin D, magnesium, and calcium and other good minerals are critical. More than 50 % of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Manganese is very important too. Inflammation can also cause low bone density.

Brain transitions.
“Can’t remember sh __” happens after menopause. The brain cannot process all the exposure assaulting it from the outside world.

We need to make the decision to encode the things we want remember. Often we don’t do this because we’re so busy; therefore many things get by us. Kate says, “What you exercise is what you get.”

Things that affect memory:

toxins

HSV1; it lives in the brain stem and can cause damage to the brain.

heavy metals

stress

lack of circulation

genes

the standard American diet

lack of social engagement

lack of mentally stimulating pursuits

lack of sleep

depression

obesity

drugs

cell phone radiation. Keep your cell phone a couple feet away. Use an ear piece. Blue tooth is no help as it has the same electromagnetic force. (Environmental Working Group, http://www.ewg.org/, has wonderful information on this.)

GI Transitions:
Your GI tract is where the outside world meets the inside world. The largest percent of your immune system is in the GI tract. If you have a systemic inflammatory condition think about treating your gut. We hold 3 pounds of bacteria in our bowels. This bacterial aggregate is known as the microbiome, and it’s critical to our health. The microbiome makes enzymes, synthesizes vitamins, and assists in the regulation of immune responses. Therefore it’s very important to keep things moving. Kate says, “You want to have so much fiber in your diet that your poop floats”

The microbiome is adversely affected by:

antibiotics

diet

stress

antacids

asprin/NSAIDS

(for more on the Microbiome, go here: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/04/bacteria-health-microbiome-disease-research.html

Cancer:
It is now believed that cancer is a metabolic disease that starts with mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria make ATP. (Adenosine-5-triphosphate transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism) If the mitochondria get toxic, cancer can result.

Soy is a fantastic nutrient. It sits on the estrogen receptor but is so weak it shouldn’t influence breast cancer. Even though Sloan Kettering says no soy, Kate believes soy is good. GMO soy is not good. Don’t take soy in pill form. In Asia women eat a lot of natural soy and have lower incidences of breast cancer.

Longevity:
For greater longevity keep in mind the following:

Plant power –more veggies, less protein and processed food

Red wine in moderation

Stop eating when your 80% full

Have a“Plan de Vida” – know your purpose in life.

Maintain sense of belonging

Foster spiritual beliefs

Work less, move more.

Make family a priority

Things to know about aging:

All aging in metabolic

Exposure to toxins affects our longevity

We have inefficient protection from the toxins will live with

The standard American diet is unhealthy for us.

Lack of antioxidants and beneficial fats hurts us.

We can promote healthier cells by what we take in and what we keep out.

Read The Blue Zones,– places in the world where people live the longest (http://www.amazon.com/The-Blue-Zones-Lessons-Longest/dp/1426207557)

Read/listen to Bruce Lipton (http://www.brucelipton.com/)

Know that the interface of what you believe and what you do is how your life will be.

Make your lifestyle be your medicine.

Learn to accept death.

Check with your doctor before making any big changes.

For Kate’s columns, go to Mercer County Woman: http://www.mercercountywoman.com/wordpress/
For her latest, go here:
http://www.countywomannewspapers.com/wordpress/2013/03/validation-of-leaky-gut-and-its-associated-chronic-health-problems/

Great news!! Kate will be doing one or two small groups for the Potluck Society in the fall.

Recent Posts

Ideas Are Welcome!

The Potluck Society Steering Committee is always searching for new and interesting topics for large and small group events. If you have a suggestion, please write to potlucksociety@gmail.com and we will respond as soon as we can!